Monday, September 8, 2014

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Today’s ride goes out to the beautiful less traveled northern end of Pt Reyes National Seashore. Travel through the town of Inverness on Sir Francis Drake Blvd to Pierce Point Rd. This remote stretch of road heads out through vast open pastoral lands to Pierce Point Ranch and the Tule Elk Preserve at Tomales Point.

We exit Olema Campground and take CA-1 S to Bear Valley Rd.

Bear Valley Rd gently winds around the Olema marshes to Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

Sir Francis Drake Blvd runs north along Tomales Bay to Inverness.

The climb out of Inverness up to Inverness Ridge at Pt Reyes National Seashore begins at the intersection with Camino Del Mar; it’s 0.8 mile with gradient ranges of 8-11%.

At the bottom of the descent at the Y intersection, steer right onto Pierce Point Rd. The road tilts up for 0.4 mile to the top of the ridge with an average grade of 7.9%. Enjoy the fantastic ridge top views!

Pierce Point Rd continues on rolling terrain through the Point Reyes Peninsula’s gorgeous open pastoral lands dotted with grazing cattle and Historic dairy ranches.

Historic H Ranch to Abbotts Lagoon:

Abbotts Lagoon to Historic I Ranch:

Historic I Ranch to Kehoe Beach Trailhead:

From Kehoe Beach Trailhead, there is a short 0.4 mile with an average grade of 5.8% followed by a descent towards Historic J Ranch.

After passing through J Ranch, the road kicks up at the cattle/creek crossing to the top of the ridge; it’s 1.1 mile with an average grade of 7.7% and steep pitches of 10-13%!

Enjoy the magnificent views of Tomales Bay and Pt Reyes Peninsula-WOW!

Pierce Point Rd continues along the top of the ridge on rolling terrain towards Tomales Point.

Look for the herd of Tule Elk along the ridge before dropping down to Pierce Point Ranch.

Enjoy the stunning views of Tomales Point, Tomales Bay and the nineteenth-century Pierce Point Ranch complex!

At Pierce Point Ranch: 

The Hay Barn: hungry swallow chicks in a nest

Calf Shed, Blacksmith Shop, West Bunkhouse and Wagon Shed:

Schoolhouse and Ranch House:

Old Dairy and New Dairy:

Scenic ranch surroundings:

The climb out from the ranch to the ridge top is one mile with an average grade of 6.6%.

Enjoy the views from going in the opposite direction-it’s just as beautiful as the first time around!

Descend from ridgeline back through the ranch:

Rolling terrain to Abbotts Lagoon to Inverness Ridge:

Back along Inverness Ridge to Sir Francis Drake Blvd:

Sir Francis Drake Blvd back through Inverness:

Stop at Point Reyes Station on CA-1 N:

CA-1 S to Olema Campground:

This is a spectacular ride around Pt Reyes National Seashore from Olema to Tomales Point. Enjoy cycling along the remote road through the Historic Ranches and open dairy lands to Pierce Point Ranch and the Tule Elk Preserve. Allow yourself to explore the area at a slow pace to soak in all the natural beauty that surrounds you! I just love the raw stark quiet calm of the coastal grasslands and meadows; it’s a sharp contrast to the urban setting and noise we encounter on a daily basis!

Garmin Stats:
35.70 Miles with 2917′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 568′
Max grade: 13%
Terrain: Hilly with a couple of steep climbs

Weather: Overcast partly cloudy with temps ranging in the low 50’s to the low 70’s. NW winds with 77% humidity

Click here to view the interactive route map & elevation profile

Follow this route for today’s ride: